Greetings,

Hubby went to a one-hour workshop on Insomnia with his gym buddy/the pyschologist. He brought home some handouts. This is what I can see.

They mention sleep hygeine,
-regualar sleep cycle,
-regualar exercise,
-exposure to sun in day time,
-avoidance of bright light at night,
-avoidance of heavy meals or drinking 3 hours before bedtime,
-enhance sleep environment,
-avoidance of caffeine alcohol, nicotine,
-relaxing routine,
-warm bath and socks.

and CBT.


Then the handouts talk about meds for sleep:

--Antihistamines.

--Benzodiazapine Receptor Agonist
(Lunesta, Ambien) (The other benzos are recommended for short term only.)


--Melatonin receptor agonist
(Rozerem)


--Sedating Anti-depressants (NIH says side effects are a concern.)
(Trazadone, Amitriptlyine, Mirtazipine)


--Sedating anticonvulsants (NIH says side effects are too risky to use these for insomnia.)
(Seroquel, Zyprexa)



Drugs in development:
---Other GABA receptor agents

---Serotonin (5-HT 2) antagonists

---Hypocretin (orexin) antagoninsts

Hi,
And I have no idea why hubby goes to these workshops. He says he wants to learn.
He announced to me that I don't have insomnia because I don't take meds. What????
I said that I take a benzo.
He said, "Oh. Okay then. I thought it was just that you don't go to bed until the morning."


Then he started complaining about the hall light interferring with his sleep. I offered solutions to this, including closing the bedroom door.


I'm thinking that these workshops he goes to with the gym buddy are mostly helpful. But darn. It's annoying to explain this bipolar stuff to a person who does not have it.

Maybe I should have been explaining things like my meds to hubby all along. I tried. I did try. He has to be in the mindset to hear it. He seems to learn in a workshop setting.

He said that if he hadn't started going to these workshops he might think that "insomnia" was contagious.

I'm not complaining.
This is what I am dealing with.
He wants me to go to the next workshop. ...not going to happen.

Mari

Wow Mari, that has to be rough, I know my significant other doesn't get the bipolar stuff either nor does he appreciate that I suffer anxiety and take a benzo for it. I take melatonin and it helps me to sleep so I am lucky I don't have insomnia. He sorta does though and I just offer melatonin to him which he said doesn't help so he just stops his caffiene intake around 6 pm and drinks diet soda with cranberry (no caffiene in the lemon lime diet soda we drink) and stays up all night pretty much. He like goes to bed at like 2-4 am.

What gets me though is he knows a certain kitchen tool triggers me badly and he makes sure he uses one to trigger my anxiety and then he laughs because he thinks its funny to see me squirming uncomfortably. He's the same way about the chronic pain I suffer, he doesn't believe it or the BP II dx. Even though I had an MRI which found that I have a partially herniated disk at C4-5 (can't remember which) and the doctor understands and helps me my hubby doesn't get it.

I hope that your hubby understands that you're not going to go to one of those workshops. I know I would never get my DH to even go to one so it's not going to happen to me, but I can definitely appreciate how it's happened to you. I hope your hubby will not nag you about the next workshop, does his psychologist friend speak at these things? Or does a stranger speak about things at them? I think my hubby will listen to a stranger and believe them over me and that is just how he is. Is your hubby like that too Mari? Is it easier for him to 'learn' from strangers with credidentials then it is for him to believe you about something you know is true? Best wishes to you for getting some good sleep soon Mari.

Hi,
The pyschologist friend goes to the workshops to keep his liscense up to date. My hubby tags along for some strange reason.

Yes, I think he pays attention when an "expert" is talking. Also, he went through a lot a trouble to go to the workshop -- drive down town and so forth. So he focuses.
Mostly, I think I haven't explained things to him. We married and moved in together in July 2005. I figured that he would learn by observation and would ask questions as we went along.

Mostly he is supportive in a general way. And I am very happy that he helps keep things quiet and stuff so that I can sleep in the daytime.

Mari

I am glad you're able to work things out like that so you get some good rest Mari. I know how hard it is when you don't get a full day's worth of rest. Maybe you and your hubby should talk about what it means to be Bipolar a bit? I know I need to talk to my significant other but am waiting for various reasons. Like getting back in the swing of seeing my old T and also getting this move out of the way first, then we can talk all we want later.

hi mari,
what does your hubby do...PM if you don't feel like posting this publically.
just curious...
bizi

Hi Mari,

Perhaps your husband is a fixer like a lot of men are and in the back of his mind he's going to fix you insomonia. I don't know. Somehow though I think he will adjust to your insomia as my husband adjusted to mine after awhile. You are holding down a job so I praise you for being able to do that.

befuddled2

Thanks Mari,

I go to the p-doc tommorow, I'll be more prepared.. For the first time I've ask my wife to go with me?? She needs to hear and understand what's goin on.. On the other side of the door; if you know what I mean.. I don't know what will happen, will see. The thoughts that race thru me, that I never tell her about scare me..

Take Care,,,,,,,,,,

Dear Sadlyme,

I get angry when pdocs can't/don't medication the anxiety and racing thoughts. It's not that hard to medicate. Sure, the side effects can be too much, but at least the patient can get through their days.

The anxiety and racing thoughts nearly did me in.

And I know someone in real live going through this. His pdoc is completely incompetent and an a@@.

Sorry that I got off track a little.

Good luck with your appointment.
M.

After reading this, I think I need a good hygienic sleep bath.